X-ray machine

X-rays are produced by bombarding a surface with high speed electrons (in vacuum)

The first x-ray photograph was made of the hand of Röntgen's wife. The image displayed both her wedding ring and bones. On January 18, 1896 an X-ray machine was formally displayed by H.L. Smith. Upon discovery in 1895, X-Rays were advertised as the new scientific wonder and seized upon by entertainers. Circus patrons viewed their own skeletons and were given pictures of their own bony hands wearing silhouetted jewelry. While many people were fascinated by this discovery, others feared that it would allow strangers to look through walls and doors and privacy.

Early x-ray machines were used in stores to help sell shoes. These were known as fluoroscopes. However, as the harmful effects of X-rayradiation were discovered, they fell out of use. (They were more a clever marketing tool to attract customers than a fitting aid. Shoe-fitting use of the device was first banned by the state of Pennsylvania in 1957.)

X-rays are highly penetrating, and x-ray machines are used in radiology to take pictures of bones and teeth. This is because bones absorb the radiation more than the less-dense soft tissue. X-rays from a source are passed through the body and onto a photographic plate; areas where radiation is absorbed show up as white. This can be used to diagnose broken or fractured bones. Imaging of the digestive tract is done with the help of barium, a so-called contrast medium.